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Amended Effective: 9/1/01
Amended Effective:
3.700
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Rule 3.700
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POLE ATTACHMENTS
3.701 Applicability and General Provisions
(A)
This Rule governs the attachment of lines, wires, cables, or other facilities by any Attaching
Entity seeking to attach to a pole owned by a Pole-Owning Utility, at rates, terms, and
conditions that are just and reasonable. This Rule applies to poles used in the distribution
system used to serve customers, and not to poles used only as part of a company’s
transmission system. In applying this Rule, the Board shall consider the interests of entities
seeking or having attachments, Pole-Owning Utilities, and the customers of each.
(B)
Except as specifically provided, nothing in this Rule shall be construed to confer a right
upon any Attaching Entity to alter, move, or otherwise perform work upon facilities owned
by another Attaching Entity or by a Pole-Owning Utility.
(C)
Except as specifically provided, nothing in this Rule shall be construed to supersede,
overrule, or replace any applicable safety code (including the National ElectricElectrical
Safety Code (NESC)) or safety rules, VOSHA regulations, any other law or regulation, nor
the engineering and work practices of any Attaching Entity or Pole Owner.
3.702 Definitions
(A)
Access means physical access to poles and rights-of-way necessary and sufficient to allow
connection of cables and other appurtenances by an Attaching Entity, and to inspect,
maintain, and repair such cables and other appurtenances.
(B)
Attaching Entity means an entity holding a certificate of public good from the Board and
seeking, or a Broadband Service Provider, that seeks to attach a facility (or havinghas
attached a facility) of any type to a pole or right-of-way for the purpose of providing service
to one or more customers, including but not limited to telecommunications providers, cable
television service providers, incumbent local exchange carriers, competitive local exchange
carriers, electric utilities, and governmental entities.
(C)
Broadband Service Provider means an entity authorized to do business in the state of
Vermont that seeks to attach facilities that ultimately will be used to offer Internet access to
the public. Wireless operators must hold an FCC license and use equipment that complies
with applicable FCC requirements.
(D)
Core Services means the original regulated business of a utility company. For example, the
Core Service of an electric utility is the provision of electric service, but not the provision of
telephone or cable television service.
(DE)
Make-ready means work necessary to make a pole available for attachment of additional
facilities.
Pole Attachment or Attachment means an attachment or addition by an Attaching Entity to a
(EF)
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pole or right-of-way.
(FG)
Pole-Owning Utility means a company, as defined in 30 V.S.A. § 201, that is subject to
regulation by the Board, and that has an ownership interest in utility poles or rights-of-way.
3.703 Tariff Required
(A)
Each Pole-Owning Utility shall file a pole attachment tariff with the Board. The tariff shall
include rates, terms, and conditions governing attachment to poles and rights-of-way in
which the Pole-Owning Utility has an ownership interest.
(B)
The tariff may incorporate a standard contract or license for attachments, so long as it is
available to any Attaching Entity within the scope of this Rule and its provisions are not
contrary to the provisions of this Rule.
(C)
The tariff may include terms that are just and reasonable subject to approval by the Board,
and it may include limitations on liability, indemnification, insurance requirements, and
restrictions on access to Pole-Owning Utility facilities.
(D)
Tariff provisions filed under this section shall not supercede the terms of any applicable
contract.
3.704 Contracts for Cost, Maintenance, and Use of Poles
(A)
Contracts Authorized. Pole-Owning Utilities and Attaching Entities may enter contracts
concerning the cost, maintenance, and use of poles.
(1) Any contract purporting to take effect after the effective date of this Rule shall be
submitted to the Board for review pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 229.
(2) Unexpired contracts on the effective date of this Rule between Attaching Entities and
Pole-Owning Utilities shall remain in effect until they expire according to their terms.
(B)
Investigations. The Board may investigate the terms and rental rate of any proposed or
existing contract between Attaching Entities and Pole-Owning Utilities. Where the public
interest so requires, the Board may order that terms or rates be modified.
(C)
Expiring Contracts. When a pole attachment contract has expired or is about to expire, and
an Attaching Entity cannot reach agreement on a rental rate with the Pole-Owning Utility,
any party may petition the Board to set an attachment rate. In reaching a decision the Board
may consider the terms and conditions of previous contracts between the parties and the
rental calculation in section 3.706.
(D)
Public Records. A pole attachment contract in the possession of the Board is a public record
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unless the Board orders otherwise, for good cause shown.
3.705 Joint Ownership of Poles
(A)
Joint Ownership. Two or more utilities may own poles jointly. The cost, maintenance, and
use of such poles may be controlled by a contract under section 3.704 and shall be reviewed
as required under that section.
(B)
Shared Revenue. Unless otherwise provided by contract, each owner of a jointly -owned
pole shall receive rental payment from each Attaching Entity in accordance with its
ownership interest.
3.706 Rental Calculation
(A)
Scope. This section establishes pole attachment rates for inclusion in the tariffs of PoleOwning Utilities.
(1) Unless the Board rules to the contrary in a particular case, rates under this section do
not apply where the rights of the Attaching Entity and the Pole-Owning Utility are
defined by a contract (including a Joint Ownership Agreement or Joint Use Agreement).
(2) Where an electric utility or an incumbent local exchange carrier cannot reach agreement
on a rental rate with the Pole Owner, either party may petition the Board to set a rate.
The Board may consider the terms and conditions of any previous attachment or jointuse contracts between the parties in setting a rate not inconsistent with the principles of
this Rule.
(B)
Single Rate. Each Pole-Owning Utility shall calculate a single pole rental rate and shall
include that rate in its pole attachment tariff.
(C)
Rental Charge Formula. The annual rental rate per pole shall be calculated using the
following formula:
 Annual 

  SpaceOccupiedbyAttachment 
Rental



TotalUsableSpace


 per Pole
(D)
 Net



 Investment  
 per Pole 
 Carrying


 Cost

 Ratio 
Definitions.
(1) Except where otherwise controlled by contract, “Space Occupied by Attachment” is
defined as follows.
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(a) If the Pole-Owning Utility has conducted a study of the space actually occupied by
a particular type of attachment (including safety space) on the Pole-Owning
Utility’s poles, then an amount defined in a tariff, but in no event less than the
amounts specified in paragraph (b) below.
(b) (b) Otherwise, the following quantities:
(i) 1.0 foot for Attaching Entities that are cable television operators and that do
not provide local exchange telephone service; and
(ii) 1.0 foot for each foot of space occupied by an Attachment of a Broadband
Service Provider; and
(iii) 2.0 feet for all other Attaching Entities except incumbent local exchange
carriers and electric utilities.
(2) “Total Usable Space” is defined as follows.
(a) If the Pole-Owning Utility has conducted a study of its average pole height, total
usable space means the Pole-Owning Utility’s average pole height less the unusable
space on the pole. Any study may be based upon plant records or field inspections.
Poles not suitable for bearing an Attaching Entity’s attachments shall be excluded.
The forty-inch safe space below the electric attachments, as required by the
National Electrical Safety Code, shall be counted as usable space.
(b) “Unusable space” shall mean the 6 feet buried in the ground plus the first 18 feet
above ground (less any space occupied by Attaching Entities) and below the first
attachment, unless the Pole-Owning Utility has conducted a study of the actual
average amount buried or the clearance above ground below the first attachment.
(c) (c) Otherwise, total usable space shall be 16 feet, which is based upon a presumed pole height
of 40 feet, less 24 feet presumed unusable space.
(3) “Net Investment per Pole” is that part of pole account attributable to poles physically
located in Vermont, and adjusted for depreciation and deferred taxes. This net amount
is then divided by the number of poles owned by the Pole-Owning Utility in Vermont.
(4) “Carrying Cost Ratio” is the allowable revenue for each dollar of net pole investment,
taking into account annual maintenance expense, depreciation, administrative expense,
taxes, and return on net investment.
(E)
Associated Companies. A Pole-Owning Utility that also engages in the provision of
another utility service or cable service shall impute to its costs of providing such other
services (and charge any affiliate, subsidiary, or associated company engaged in the
provision of such other services) an amount equal to the pole attachment rate for which a
company providing such other service would be liable under this section if it were not the
pole owner.
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3.707 Non-Exclusive Right of Access
(A)
Right of Access. A Pole-Owning Utility shall provide all Attaching Entities nondiscriminatory access to any pole, support structure, or right-of-way in which it has an
ownership interest.
(1) A Pole-Owning Utility may deny access for reasons of safety, reliability, or generally
applicable and accepted engineering standards.
(2) A Pole-Owning Utility may deny access on a non-discriminatory basis where there is
insufficient capacity. Insufficient capacity shall not be a legitimate grounds for denial
of access where Make-ready work can be used to increase or create capacity.
(3) A Pole-Owning Utility may not favor itself over any Attaching Entity, nor deny access
based on a reservation of space for its own use. However, a Pole-Owning Utility may
favor itself when it has a need for space on a pole or poles in order to provide its core
service and when it also has a bona fide development plan that shows a need for
additional attachments to the poles in question within three years of the date of adoption
of the plan; provided that the Pole-Owning Utility may not so favor itself for more than
three years in any ten-year period.
(4) Broadband Service Providers shall be authorized to have antennas installed within or
above the safety space (as per NESC) to the extent that this installation complies with
the NESC and other applicable safety requirements. Installation and maintenance work
in this area shall be done by the electric utility or Outside Contractors.
(5) Termination demarcation. Utility poles may be designated as the customer interface, in
a manner consistent with applicable tariff provisions relating to network interfaces, for
purposes of providing service to Attachments of Broadband Service Providers.
(B)
Exclusive Access Prohibited. No utility, cable television system, or telecommunications
carrier subject to the Board’s jurisdiction may enter into a contract with a property owner
that provides exclusive access to poles or rights-of -way inside or upon commercial or
residential buildings.
(C)
Burden. In any proceeding before the Board or a court concerning a denial of access to a
pole or right-of-way, the party contending that access is not available shall have the burden
of making a prima facie case.
3.708.
(A)
Applications for Attachment and Make-ready Work
Application. Applications for attachment by an Attaching Entity to a Pole-Owning Utility
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shall be submitted in writing.
(B)
Responsibility. During the Make-ready process, the Pole Owner is presumed to have control
of the pole and is responsible for meeting all time limits in this section. PreexistingPreexisting Attaching Entities are responsible for completing their work within a time that
allows the Pole Owner to comply with the requirements of this section.
(1) If the work on a pole is not completed within the allowed time because of delays
caused by another entity attached to the pole, and the Pole Owner is liable for any
penalties or damages because of the delay, the Entity causing the delay shall
indemnify the Pole Owner for penalty or damages paid.
(2) The allowed time periods and deadlines in this section apply unless otherwise
agreed by the various parties, and except for extraordinary circumstances and
reasons beyond the Pole-Owner’s control.
(3) If an application involves poles owned by multiple owners, then the
longest applicable time limit applies.
(C)
Initial Action and Survey. Any required Make-ready survey is to be completed within the
time period set out in this subsection, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. The Makeready survey period shall depend on the number of poles or attachments involved, as a
percentage of the total number of poles owned. If a Pole-Owning Utility intends to deny
access to poles under 3.707(A)(1),(2),or (3), it shall state with specificity the grounds for the
denial.
(1) Make-ready survey work on fewer than 0.5% of a company’s poles or attachments shall
be completed within 60 days.
(2) Make-ready survey work on 0.5% or more but less than 3% of a company’s poles or
attachments shall be completed within 90 days.
(3) Make-ready survey work on 3% or more than 3% of a company’s poles or attachments
shall be completed within a time to be negotiated between all the affected owners and
attachers. The time shall be negotiated in good faith and shall be reasonable in light of
subsections (1) and (2), above.
(D)
Applicant’s Authorization and Payment. After completion of the Make-ready survey, the
entity seeking attachment shall authorize the Pole-Owning Utility to complete Make-ready
work and shall make all required advance payments.
(1) Unless otherwise agreed. , Make-ready work, permits, inspection, and rearrangement
costs shall be based on a reasonable estimate of costs and shall be paid in advance.
(2) The Pole-Owning Utility’s tariff may require prepayment, or other reasonable assurance
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of credit worthiness, before performing the Make-ready survey.
(3) The costs of the Make-ready survey shall be payable even if the entity decides not to go
forward with construction of its attachments.
(E)
Time to Complete Make-ready. The Pole-Owning Utility and Attaching Entities already
attached to the pole shall complete necessary Make-ready work within the periods allowed
by this section.
(1) The Make-ready completion period shall depend on the number of poles or attachments
involved, as a percentage of the total number of poles owned.
(a) Make-ready work on fewer than 0.5% of a company’s poles or attachments shall be
completed within 120 days of authorization and payment.
(b) Make-ready work on 0.5% or more but less than 3% of a company’s poles or
attachments shall be completed within 180 days of authorization and payment.
(c) Make-ready work on 3% or more than 3% of a company’s poles or attachments
shall be completed within a time to be negotiated between all the affected owners
and attachers. The time shall be negotiated in good faith and shall be reasonable in
light of subsections (a) and (b), above.
(2) Time shall be measured from the later to occur of:
(a) receipt of the authorization and payment (if any) under subsection (D); and
(b) all applicable state or municipal permits have been obtained. If the permitting
authority requires participation by the Pole-Owning Utility, the latter shall act in
good faith.
(F)
Least Cost Methods. In completing Make-ready work, a Pole-Owning Utility shall pursue
reasonable least-cost alternatives, including space sayingsaving techniques currently relied
upon by that utility:; however, it shall at all times maintain compliance with the National
Electric Safety Code, state and local laws and regulations, and Pole-Owning Utility
construction standards.
(G)
Outside Contractors.
(1) Make Ready. All Pole-Owning Utilities and Attaching Entities shall maintain a list of
contractors whom they allow to perform Make-ready surveys, Make-ready, or other
specified tasks upon their equipment. In the event that a Pole-Owning Utility cannot
perform required Make-ready work in a timely manner, the attaching entity may
demand that outside contractors be sought. The Pole-Owning Utility shall thereupon
exercise best efforts to hire one or more contractors from the list to perform required
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work, under the supervision and control of the Pole-Owning Utility.
(2) Installation and Maintenance. In the event that an electric utility cannot perform
installation and maintenance work to equipment belonging to Attaching Entities in a
timely manner, the Attaching Entity may hire one or more Outside Contractors from the
list to perform this work.
(H)
Payments. After completion of Make-ready work, the applicant shall pay the cost of all
Make-ready work actually required for the attachment that has not been pre-paid, or shall be
refunded any excess of the pre-payment not actually required.
(1) The applicant shall not be responsible for any portion of the Make-ready expense that is
attributable to the correction of pre-existing violations, unless the applicant has caused a
portion of the violation.
(2) The costs of any modification that is also specifically used by other existing Attaching
Entities shall be apportioned accordingly.
(3) Where a Pole-Owning Utility currently relies upon one or more techniques referenced
in subsection (F) as part of its normal operating procedures but refuses to utilize such
techniques for the benefit of the entity seeking attachment, that entity shall only be
responsible for the cost that would have been incurred had such techniques been utilized
(provided such use would have been in accordance with generally accepted engineering
practices).
(I)
Overlashing. Any overlashing must be done in accordance with generally accepted
engineering standards. The Attaching Entity shall give ten days’ notice to the Pole-Owning
Utility before beginning such overlashing.
(1) No additional application or payment is required for an Attaching Entity to overlash
more of its facilities to its existing attached facilities, unless it necessitates additional
costs such as guying or additional pole strength, occupies additional attachment space
on the pole, or provides a different utility service than the existing facilities.
(2) If the new facilities deliver a utility service that ought to pay a higher rental under this
rule, the Attaching Entity shall begin paying the higher rate.
(3) If the new facilities are owned by someone other than the existing Attaching Entity,
then both shall pay rental, each at the rate designated by this rule.
(J)
Lowest Attachment Point. No Attaching Entity shall be denied attachment solely because
the only space available for attachment on a pole is below the lowest attached facility. If the
owner of the lowest facility wishes to relocate its existing facilities to a lower allowable
point of attachment so that the new Attaching Entity will be above all existing facilities, the
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owner of such existing facilities shall pay one-half of the cost of moving its facilities.
3.709.
(A)
Notices from Pole-Owning Utility
A Pole-Owning Utility shall provide each Attaching Entity 60 days’ written notice prior to:
(1) Removing facilities or terminating service to those facilities, where that action arises
out of a rate, term or condition of the pole attachment agreement; or
(2) Increasing pole attachment rates by contract or tariff.
(B)
Unless otherwise agreed, a Pole-Owning Utility shall provide an Attaching Entity 30
days’ written notice before modifying any of the Attaching Entity’s facilities. Less
than 30 days’ notice may be provided for routine maintenance, modification in
response to emergencies, or modifications that are beyond the reasonable control of
the Pole-Owning Utility, provided that the notice is reasonable under the
circumstances and as prompt as practicable.
3.710 Complaint Procedures
(A)
A party aggrieved by a violation of these rules may file a complaint or petition with the
Board. The Board shall take final action within 180 days after the filing of the complaint or
petition.
(B)
An Attaching Entity aggrieved by a proposed change to a Pole-Owning Utility’s tariff may
intervene in any rate case following such a tariff filing.
3.711 Effective Date
This rule shall take effect on September 1, 2001. However, any new pole rental rates shall not take
effect until January 1, 2002, and Pole-Owning utilities need to file new tariffs that will take effect
on that date.